Cuomo Says Accused Assemblyman Should be Out

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Gov. Andrew Cuomo says an assemblyman accused of sexual harassment should resign or be removed by the Assembly.

But Cuomo wouldn't comment on whether Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver should be stripped of power for his handling of the case that included a secret $103,000 settlement with some of Vito Lopez' accusers. Cuomo says it's not his place to comment on who should lead the Assembly.

A special prosecutor and the state ethics board reported several accusations by women staffers that claimed inappropriate conduct by Lopez, a Brooklyn Democrat. The reports recommended no criminal charge but were critical of the Assembly's handling of the case including the secret settlement.

Cuomo says there should be "zero tolerance" for sexual harassment in Albany.

State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli's office released the settlement. Now, DiNapoli says there should be more transparency in cases like this before money is released.